Despite pandemic, CPEC continues to see significant developments in 2021: Asad Umar Ambassador Nong Rong welcomes Imran Khan govt’s business, investment-friendly steps
Zubair Qureshi Islamabad
Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiative Asad Umar on Wednesday said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) continued to register significant developments in the outgoing year (2021) and would see further expansion and greater activity in 2022 as there was a will as well as the vision to make this flagship project of the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) a game changer not only for Pakistan but the entire region.
The federal minister was addressing an award-giving ceremony announced for 27 Pakistani workers of various CPEC projects for their outstanding performance in the year 2021. The Embassy of China had organized the ceremony.
Ambassador of China Nong Rong and Head of the All Pakistan-Chinese Enterprises association Yang Jiandu also spoke on the occasion.
The event was virtually addressed by Special Assistant to PM on CPEC Khalid Mansoor and Director General National Development & Reforms Commission of China (NRCD) Ying Xiong.
Three award-winning Pakistani staffers of three different but major CPEC projects—Yousuf Karim from KKH Phase II (Havelian-Thakot Section), Fazal Rahim from Coal Fire Power Plant (Port Qasim Electric Power Company) and Arsalan Khan (Karot Hydropower Project)—represented their other award-winning colleagues. They said they enjoyed working with
Chinese companies and considered themselves lucky to be part of the CPEC projects.
Asad Umar congratulated these Pakistani workers for making him as well as the nation proud. You might have known by now, Asad Umar addressed the Chinese participants, particularly those representing various companies, how professional, diligent and responsible the Pakistani workers are. In their devotion and dedication, Pakistani workers are like their Chinese counterparts and this is the reason we are seeing timely execution of the CPEC projects despite COVID-19 and other challenges, he said.
Asad Umar spoke in detail how important the Pakistani government, particularly Prime Minister Imran Khan, considered CPEC for the stability of the economy. “This is, Excellency, a truly historic project meant for prosperity and progress and President Xi Jinping’s vision is that of collective development. This shows he is not only a leader of China but a global leader,” said Asad Umar while addressing Ambassador Nong Rong.
Asad Umar said his government was broadening the CPEC framework further from infrastructure to Science & Technology (S&T) and Agriculture which are equally important for Pakistan’s development. The government he said had established Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in north and south and simplified the approval process for the Chinese companies to operate in them.
This shows our resolve to make CPEC an ongoing project for the betterment of the people, he said.
Ambassador Nong Rong said as Pakistan and China were celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the all-round cooperation between the two countries is further deepening.
The ambassador further said that during 2021, the CPEC remained the focus of the two countries. On October 26th, President Xi Jinping called Prime Minister Imran Khan on the phone and expressed will to jointly build the CPEC, to promote cooperation in agriculture, digital economy and people’s livelihood, and bring more benefits to the local people.
The Pakistan government he said had established the China-Pakistan Relations Steering Committee to coordinate and resolve CPEC issues, introduced the special visa policy for CPEC to facilitate investment and set up a Foreign National Security Cell to strengthen security measures. These practical measures have injected more confidence in the development of the CPEC, said the Ambassador of China.
Khalid Mansoor said the second phase of the CPEC would unleash huge economic activity generating thousands of jobs in line with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Ying Xiong said China and Pakistan had joined hands to work together on CPEC for 8 years, by following the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.
Even in the face of the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CPEC projects still enjoy smooth operation, he said. Earlier, a brief documentary was screened showing the Pakistani workers sharing their success stories and telling how working for CPEC had changed their lives for betterment.
